Health Professions eBook

Exploring What Could Be

As of September 2018

I could be a health professional.

My goals are to promote health, reduce illness, work with other professionals, and provide healthcare for people around the world.

I want a rewarding, trustworthy, steady career and to make a difference in people’s lives.

www.explorehealthcareers.org

Explore Each

Career

Anesthesiologist Assistant

Audiologist/Speech-Language Pathologist

Chiropractor

Dentist

Health Administrator

Medical Doctor

Naturopathic Doctor

Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist

Nurse

Occupational Therapy Practitioner

Optometrist

Orthotist/ Prosthetist

Osteopathic Doctor

Pharmacologist

Pharmacist

Physical Therapist

Physician Assistant

Podiatric Medical Doctor

Public Health Practitioner

Social Worker

I could be an anesthesiologist assistant.

Anesthesiologist Assistants work cooperatively with an anesthesiologist in developing and implementing the anesthesia care plan.

Anesthesiologist Assistants provide anesthesia care, monitor vital signs, and work as a team with physicians.

People interested in the Anesthesiologist Assistant profession pursue this career because they want to ensure comfort and safety, reduce pain, and participate in hands on technologically and pharmacologically advanced patient care.

www.aaapd.org

I could be an audiologist or speech-language pathologist.

Audiology and speech-language pathology is the treatment and assessment of speech or hearing problems.

Audiologists diagnose and treat hearing, balance, and other auditory disorders. Speech-language pathologists diagnose and treat speech, language, social communication, and swallowing disorders.

People interested in audiology and speech-language pathology want to improve communication, facilitate participation in everyday life, and enhance social situations.

www.asha.org

I could be a chiropractor.

Chiropractic is a system of complementary medicine based on the diagnosis and manipulative treatment of misalignments of the joints.

Chiropractors treat the neuro-musculoskeletal system, use conservative, natural approaches, improve mobility, and make adjustments to the body’s skeletal structures.

People interested in chiropractic like working with their hands, being a business owner, and working with active people like athletes.

www.chirocolleges.org

I could be a dentist.*

Dentistry is the evaluation, diagnosis, prevention and treatment of diseases, disorders, and conditions of the oral cavity, jaws, and face area and their impact on the body.

Dentists evaluate oral and overall health, perform exams, extractions, and preventative oral health care, and diagnose and treat oral conditions.

People interested in dentistry like working with their hands, blending creativity, art and science, restoring function and aesthetics, and working with patients on a regular basis.

www.adea.org/GoDental

*or a dental hygienist. See the website for more information.

I could be a health administrator.

Health administration is the leadership, management, and administration of public health systems, healthcare systems, hospitals, and hospital networks.

Administrators oversee daily operations in healthcare facilities, manage employees and facilities, and lead organizations.

People interested in health administration like business, management, supporting healthcare providers and patients, and organizing projects.

www.aupha.org

I could be a medical doctor.

Medicine is the science or practice of the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of disease.

Doctors write reports, preform physical exams, diagnose conditions, run or conduct tests, prescribe medication, develop treatment plans, and conduct research.

People interested in medicine like to learn about how the body works, advising and developing treatment plans, and promoting overall health and well-being.

www.aamc.org/students

I could be a naturopathic doctor.

Naturopathic medicine is a distinct primary care profession that concentrates on whole-patient wellness while emphasizing prevention and the process of self-healing through the use of natural therapies.

Naturopathic physicians see patients, determine root cause of illnesses, use evidence-based natural therapies, and provide primary and specialized care as part of the healthcare team.

People interested in naturopathic medicine like combining modern science with nature, addressing the root of an issue, and incorporating the mind and body in patient care.

www.aanmc.org

I could be a certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA).

Nurse anesthetists work independently or as part of an anesthesia care team in all types of healthcare settings.

CRNA’s deliver anesthesia, monitor vital signs, and offer chronic pain management.

People interested in nurse anesthesia like ensuring patient comfort and safety, reducing pain, and using new technologies.

www.aana.membership/become-a-crna

I could be a nurse.

Nursing is focused on the care of individuals, families, and communities so they my attain, maintain, or recover optimal health and quality of life.

Nurses coordinate patient care, educate the public, provide primary and preventive care, and advocate for the best patient care.

People interested in nursing like combining clinical work and patient advocacy, coordinating care management, and finding solutions to challenges.

www.aacnnursing.org/students

I could be an occupational therapy practitioner.

Occupational therapy helps people with disabilities, illnesses, or limitations across the lifespan participate in the things they want and need to do through the therapeutic use of everyday activities (occupations).

Occupational therapy practitioners ask, "What matters to you?" not, "What's the matter with you?"

People interested in occupational therapy like creative solutions, client-centered care, improving quality of life, and a holistic approach to health (taking into account mental, social, physical, and environmental factors).

www.aota.org/education-careers/consideringOT-career.aspx

I could be an optometrist.

Optometry is a healthcare profession focusing on the structure, function, and disorders of the eye.

Optometrists preserve ocular health, diagnose, manage, and treat disorders affecting the eye or vision, and provide pre- and post-operative care to patients.

People interested in optometry like using technology in healthcare, problem solving, fashion, and working closely with patients.

www.optometriceducation.org/students-future-students/resources/

I could be an orthotist or prosthetist.

O&P practitioners blend patient care with design and fabrication of devices.

Orthotists and prosthetists evaluate patients, formulate treatment plans, and fabricate orthoses or prostheses to offer patients increased mobility and independence.

People interested in orthotics and prosthetics like problem solving, using creativity, blending technology, and sciences, and working with their hands.

www.ncope.org

I could be an osteopathic doctor.

Osteopathic medicine is the science or practice of diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of disease.

Doctors perform physical exams, develop treatment plans, prescribe medication, and practice in all specialties from family medicine to neurosurgery and more.

People interested in osteopathic medicine like focusing on prevention by using a deeper understanding of a patient’s lifestyle and environment, rather than just symptoms, when treating patients.

www.aacom.org/become-a-doctor

I could be a pharmacologist.

Pharmacology is the science of how drugs act on biological systems and how the body responds to the drug.

Pharmacologists conduct research in order to create, develop, and test drugs to improve human health.

People interested in pharmacology like working at the intersection of research and medicine where they have the potential to make a difference for people suffering from disease.

www.aspet.org/what_is_pharmacology

I could be a pharmacist.

Pharmacy is the science and practice of preparing and dispensing medications, and ensuring their safe and effective use.

Pharmacists help people get the best results from their medications, consult with patients, and answer health related questions.

People interested in becoming a pharmacist are detailed-oriented, innovative, and want to help people properly take the best medicines for their needs.

www.pharm4me.org

I could be a physical therapist.*

Physical therapy is a dynamic profession with widespread clinical applications in the restoration, maintenance, and promotion of optimal physical function.

Physical therapists are movement experts who help patients of all ages and abilities improve and maintain function and quality of life. They create treatment plans to match each patient’s goals, helping to improve their fitness and function, avoid surgery, reduce the use of opioids, and partner in their own care.

People interested in physical therapy like movement, educating patients, fitness, and supporting active lifestyles.”

www.apta.org/careers*or a physical therapist assistant. See the website for more information.

I could be a physician assistant.

A physician assistant is a medical professional who diagnoses and treats illness and disease.

Physician assistants take medical histories, perform physical exams, counsel patients, assist in procedures and surgeries, and help patients navigate the healthcare system.

People interested in becoming a physician assistant like patient advocacy and education, coordinating care management, and working in medically underserved communities.

www.pafocus.org

I could be a podiatric medical doctor.

Podiatric medicine is devoted to the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of foot and ankle disorders resulting from injury or disease.

Podiatrists perform surgery, treat foot and ankle disorders, set fractures, and correct walking patterns and balance.

People interested in podiatric medicine like innovating, working with active people like athletes, and improving overall mobility.

www.discoverpodiatricmedicine.org

I could be a public health practitioner.

Public health promotes and protects the health of people and the communities where they live.

Practitioners promote health lifestyles, develop policies, conduct research, implement educational programs, and regulate health systems.

People interested in public health like global issues, reducing environmental hazards, and increasing life expectancy.

www.thisispublichealth.org

I could be a social worker.

Social work professionals are devoted to helping individuals and families function the best they can in their environment, and they work to change unhealthy environments and communities.

Social workers assess individual needs; promote community resources; provide psychotherapy services; design and evaluate programs and services; advocate for policy change; and organize groups for social change.

People interested in social work like to make an impact by promoting social, environmental, and economic justice to enhance the well-being of individuals and society.

www.cswe.org/students

For information on educational requirements, salaries, and a detailed description of job responsibilities for

each profession, visit:

HPW is a week-long series of virtual events for high school and college students interested in learning more about careers in the health professions. It is

hosted online every November.

Register for free!

www.explorehealthcareers.org/hpw

Content Provided

By

Association of Anesthesiologist Assistant Program Directors

American Speech-Language-Hearing Association

Association of Chiropractic Colleges

American Dental Education Association

Association of University Programs in Health Administration

Association of American Medical Colleges

Association of Accredited Naturopathic Medical Colleges

American Association of Nurse Anesthetists

American Association of Colleges of Nursing

American Occupational Therapy Association

Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry

National Commission on Orthotic and Prosthetic Education

American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine

American Society for Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics

American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy

American Physical Therapy AssociationPhysician Assistant Education Association

American Association of Colleges of Podiatric Medicine

Association of Schools & Programs of Public Health

Council on Social Work Education